Overview
Walmart Inc. is one of the largest retail corporations in the world, known for its chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. Headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and officially incorporated in 1969.
Today, it operates over 10,500 stores under 46 different banners in more than 20 countries.
What Makes Walmart Unique?
Walmart is built on the philosophy of “Everyday Low Prices”. Its business model is based on:
Large-scale supply chain efficiency
Aggressive pricing strategies
High-volume sales
Direct sourcing from manufacturers
This approach allows Walmart to offer products at lower prices than many of its competitors.
Global Presence
While Walmart is most dominant in the United States, it also operates in several other markets, including:
Mexico (as Walmart de México y Centroamérica)
Chile
China
Canada
Chile
India (via ownership stake in Flipkart)
South Africa (through Massmart)
However, Walmart has exited markets like the United Kingdom (Asda), Germany, and South Korea, due to challenges with adapting to local consumer habits.
Walmart in Numbers
Founded: 1962
Founder: Sam Walton
Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
Employees: Over 2.1 million globally
Revenue: Over $600 billion USD (2024 fiscal year)
Online Sales: Walmart is the second-largest e-commerce retailer in the U.S. after Amazon.
E-Commerce and Technology Shift
Walmart has heavily invested in digital transformation to compete with Amazon and other online retailers. Its key efforts include:
Walmart+ (a subscription delivery service)
Curbside pickup and same-day delivery
In-store app experiences and cashier-less checkouts
Investment in AI, automation, and warehouse robotics
These moves have helped Walmart blend brick-and-mortar retail with modern e-commerce capabilities.
Social Responsibility and Criticism
Walmart has committed to sustainability goals, such
